Title:  Enterprise Architect / Trainer             

Company: OptiPrise

Q: How long have you been involved with The Open Group?

Officially I'm involved as a member since October 2013 when I started my own company, OptiPrise. I'm a user of TOGAF® and ArchiMate® since 2008. 

Q. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?

At the moment I'm combining two roles:  First, as Enterprise Architect, I am helping customers by implementing and optimizing the several aspects of Enterprise Architecture. Secondly, as trainer I'm developing and giving Architecture related courses, like TOGAF, ArchiMate and a Masterclass Architecture. I started as an Architect by the Dutch government in 2004 and as trainer in 2009.  But most of all, I'm a passionate enthusiast who is willing to help individuals and organizations to achieve their missions and goals.

Q: Why did your organization become a member and what does your involvement look like?  

OptiPrise joined the Architecture Forum in October 2013 and added the Archimate Forum to its membership in January 2014.  First, I have a strong belief in Open Standards and with that in mind I'm a true advocate to introduce and implement those standards within my projects.  Another reason is that with my current experience as Enterprise Architect and Trainer could be valuable to improve TOGAF and maybe ArchiMate, but at the moment I feel myself not comfortable enough to participate in an existing working group.  A lot of my projects I have practicing TOGAF and Archimate, that in combination with the theoretical knowledge I have gained new insights that I would like to share, but I need some time to describe those insights properly.  And the last reason to become a member is that it gives me the opportunity to perform activities according to TOGAF and ArchiMate standard in a commercial way.

Q: How has membership in The Open Group benefited you, your organization and the industry at large?

The great benefit for me is:  First, the opportunity to perform activities according to the TOGAF and ArchiMate standards, and of course the possibility for my customers and students to share that knowledge with them.  Second, the ability to help in the development and improvement of The Open Group standards.

Q: What contributions do you hope to bring to The Open Group?

My interest lies mainly in optimizing the architecture vision phase, including the business scenario techniques and risks management. The reason for this is mainly that I have seen the power and the influences of a good Architecture Vision for decision-making and risk management. I also want to share my experiences in the field of integration between TOGAF and ArchiMate and especially in the area of managing requirements.

Q: Why is it important for other organizations to join The Open Group?

That they see the possibilities and the power of TOGAF.  I see a lot of organizations that abused the TOGAF principles and concepts, especially stakeholder management is very difficult to manage well.  What I see is that a lot of people and organizations experience TOGAF as difficult and conceptually, the final result is: “TINO” or “TOGAF In Name Only”!  I hope that a membership from those organizations will understand the concepts of TOGAF so it can help to fulfill their achievements.  

Q: What are your hobbies?

My passion is my wife and two kids and my work.  So my work is also my hobby. Beside that I enjoy listening music and reading books.

Q: What book are you currently reading?

At this moment, for pleasure Ulysses from James Joyce and for my work a Dutch book called 'Angelsaksen versus Rijnlanders' Saxons vs Rhine Landers, a book that gives insight in the difference between the British and American way of thinking and the more German and France way of thinking.

Q.  What social networks do you belong to?

Besides being a member of The Open Group, I am also member of ISACA.  My ISACA membership is mainly inspired by the Governance aspects that are covered in COBIT and I'm using LinkedIn for business purposes. That's more than enough to fill my precious time.

Q: Any last thoughts?

Miracles happen with passionate people